The Rat (Brown rat, Norway rat, Sewer rat. Rattus norvegicus)
Appearance

• Up to 40 cm in length, with a tail shorter than the head and body.
• 350 to 500g in weight.
• Blunt nose, small ears and a thicker body when compared to the Black Rat (Rattus rattus).

Lifecycle

• 7 to 8 young per litter; 3 to 6 litters a year.
• Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
• 10 to 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity.

Habits

• Usually ground living and burrowing, but sometimes climbs. The only species to occur
  in sewers in the UK.
• Preferred food is cereals.
• Will eat around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml.

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